QANode Logo

Installation

Desktop Version

The desktop version is the easiest way to get started. It includes all the necessary components in a single installer, including an embedded PostgreSQL database.

Requirements

  • Windows 10/11, 64-bit
  • macOS 11 or later, Intel or Apple Silicon
  • Linux 64-bit with AppImage support
  • RAM: 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended)
  • Disk Space: 2 GB for installation, plus the space used by evidence and executions

Installation on Windows

  1. Download the QANode Setup.exe installer from https://www.qanode.com
  2. Run the installer and follow the instructions
  3. When finished, QANode will open automatically

QANode installer on Windows Image: QANode NSIS installer screen on Windows

Installation on macOS

  1. Download the .dmg file for your processor: Apple Silicon (arm64) or Intel (x64)
  2. Open the DMG and move QANode to Applications
  3. Open QANode from the Applications folder or macOS search

The application is signed and notarized by Apple. After an update, macOS may take a few moments to refresh the icon and search index.

Installation on Linux

  1. Download the .AppImage file
  2. Mark the file as executable
  3. Open the AppImage

Example:

chmod +x QANode-Setup-x64.AppImage
./QANode-Setup-x64.AppImage

On first launch, QANode will:

  • Initialize the embedded PostgreSQL database
  • Create the necessary tables (automatic migrations)
  • Start the API server
  • Open the application interface

Note: The first startup may take a few extra seconds while the database is being prepared. A splash screen will be displayed during this process.

Data Folder

The desktop version stores the database, evidence, files, and logs in the user's data folder:

Windows: %APPDATA%\@qanode\desktop\
macOS:   ~/Library/Application Support/@qanode/desktop/
Linux:   ~/.config/@qanode/desktop/

Inside it, postgres/ contains the embedded database, storage/ stores artifacts, and desktop-main.log records application startup.

Important: Never manually modify or delete the postgres/ folder. Before any recovery procedure, make a copy of the entire data folder.

Troubleshooting

The desktop version does not start

  • Check that another instance of QANode is not already running
  • Open desktop-main.log in the data folder and look for Fatal startup error
  • On Windows, confirm that the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable x64 is up to date
  • Do not delete the postgres/ folder; preserve the database and send the log to support for diagnosis

Next Steps